Showing posts with label Year End List. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Year End List. Show all posts

Monday, 14 December 2015

"A Year in Review": The Sonic 6 for Doom 2015

By: Aaron Pickford



As part of our review of 2015, over the coming days, I thought it would be a good idea to highlight, “six of the best” releases of 2015 within our most popular genres.  Of course we all gravitate to a favourite genre, however each has its own merit,  last time we covered Black Metal, so today, as we reflect upon an awesome year of music in 2015, we present the Doom Sonic 6for 2015

The Sludgelord’s ‘Sonic 6’ for 2015 is compiled based upon page views alone and calibrated into the list below, we will be presenting further lists during the lead up to Christmas, but for today roll up, kick back and Hail the riff!  Check out the DoomSonic 6for 2015 (full reviews can be viewed by clicking the artwork and total views since the date of publication are highlight in red). 

6). Ruby The Hatchet – “Valley of the Snake” (748)

If you’re in the market for a heavy psych/stoner rock record with huge doom tendencies that stand out from the majority of the pack, look no further than ‘Valley of the Snake’.



5). Pentagram – “Curious Volume” (984)

Overall, for my money, Curious Volume is a better album than Last Rites- more focused, more inspired and it crackles with life, it really does. It is the best album from Pentagram in a long while and for that we should all rejoice. Legendary for a reason!



4). Monolord – Vænir (1041)

Now with 2015 engulfing us, what you actually just heard was ‘Vænir’by Monolord and it is your new favourite record by your new favourite doom band. For that ‘you’re, most certainly welcome’.





3). Paradise Lost – “The Plague Within” (1893)

As usual, I cannot categorize them- there are elements of doom, death, goth, even classical- and once again I have been reminded that they are one of the best bands that the British Isles has to offer. You will miss them when they are gone, so get on board with their career now. Whether you be a prodigal son or a new convert, you won't be disappointed as this album is superb.



2). With The Dead – “With The Dead” (2239)

It's evident that Bagshaw has acquired a few new fuzz pedals since the last Serpentine Path album as opening track 'Crown Of Burning Stars' is so oppressive, fuzzy and dense that it made my teeth itch. After the backwards speaking samples, the crunch of the guitar is incredible. The vocals are classic Dorrian and the bands sound on a whole is somewhere between Serpentine Path, 'Dopethrone' era Electric Wizard, early Cathedral and 'Misanthropic Alchemy' era Ramesses.  This for me is an album of the year contender, the kind of thing you'd expect from 3 of the scene's most influential figures. All expectation has been lived up to. Prepare to be blown away.




1). Elder – “Lore” (2855)

It’s a perfect album for us keen on escapism as marvelling at the end result is bound to remove you from your daily experience and carry you off into Elder’s epic tales of yore, the intricacies of which really only start revealing themselves on many a repeat listens. I’m sure we’ll be absorbing this one for some time to come, until they decide to take us along on another odyssey.





Reviews featured in this article were written by: David Heaton, Richard Maw, Joosep Nilk & Chris Bull


Saturday, 12 December 2015

"A Year in Review": Black Metal's "Sonic 6" for 2015

By:  Aaron Pickford



As part of our review of 2015, over the coming days, I will present the definitive “Sour 16” for 2015 and this will be generated by looking at all releases throughout the year, however I thought it would also be cool to look at specific genres too and whilst I would have loved to have generated a “Sour 16” for each popular genre at The Sludgelord, that would have taken up an inexplicable amount of time. Of course we all gravitate to a favourite genre, however each has its own merit, therefore I thought it would be a good idea to highlight, “six of the best” releases of 2015 within our most popular genres.  So today, as we reflect upon an awesome year of music in 2015, we present Black Metal’s “Sonic 6” for 2015

The Sludgelord’s Sonic 6’ for 2015 is compiled based upon page views alone and calibrated into the list below, we will be presenting further lists during the lead up to Christmas, but for today roll up, kick back and Hail the riff!  Check out Black Metal’s “Sonic 6” for 2015 (full reviews can be viewed by clicking the artwork and total views since the date of publication are highlight in red). 

6). Imperial Triumphant - “Abysmal Gods” (562)

Certainly Imperial Triumphant share a stratosphere with the Gorguts, Artificial Brains, Pyrrhons and Deathspell Omegas of this universe, but this is a different breed of genius. There’s a sickness, a mentally “unwell” aspect to ‘Abyssal Gods’ that you simply cannot find anywhere else. The jangling, out of tune ragtime break early on in “Opposing Holiness”. The hallucinogenic guitar solos in “Black Psychedelia”. It all points to an album no one should miss out on, although you’re likely to come out the other end of it a worse person, or at least in a worse mood.




5). Arcturus – “Arcturian” (614)

The number of influences on this record is immense. Traces of classical, polka, noir, fusion, black metal, power metal, and many more can all be found on this album. Vocally, among the peppered black metal roots, there are traces of middle eastern scales, clean harmonies, and several other influences including Tool as one of the more obvious. The harmonies alone seem to come at the listener from all directions, adding to the intense psychedelic atmosphere.



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4). Kjeld – “Skym” (737)

If you should listen to just one Black metal record of the year this could be the one because this is another Dutch fist in the face of God!




3). Enslaved – “In Times” (941)

Everyone has “their” Enslaved album and that runs a wide spectrum of possibilities because Enslaved have been excellent in a number of different ways. ‘In Times’ is just another example of Enslaved finding a new energy and turning that energy into something beautiful.



2). Drudkh – “A Furrow Cut Short” (1064)

‘A Furrow Cut Short’ is undoubtedly up there with ‘Autumn Aurora’ and ‘Blood in our Wells’; albums that are possibly the best to have emerged from the newer wave of ‘atmospheric’ black metal. Nothing is more satisfying than when one of your favourite bands releases potentially the best album of their career over ten years on. So clear a spot at the top of your album of the year list because ‘A Furrow Cut Short’ is it.




1). Marduk – Frontschwein (1428)

This black metal of the highest quality and of the most palatable type to a casual fan such as myself, all elements are present and correct with the band on great form. Looking for something to compound your winter blues? Look no further.




Reviews featured in this article were written by: Daniel Jackson, Joel Willis, Sven-Ake Alveving, Heather Blewett, Richard Maw

Sunday, 11 January 2015

The Sludgelord Presents: Aaron Pickford's Top 25 Records of 2014


25). Bog Oak – ‘A Treatise on Resurrection and the Afterlife’



24). Disastroid – ‘Missiles’




 
23). Godflesh – ‘Decline & Fall’


 



 
22). Space Witch - ‘Space Witch’



21). Serpent Venom – ‘Of Things Seen & Unseen’





20). Tellusian – ‘Collision’

 



19). Enabler – ‘La Fin Absolue Du Monde’






18). Telepathy – ’12 Areas’





17). Druglord – ‘Enter Venus’





16). Fistula – ‘Vermin Prolificus’




15). Electric Wizard – ‘Time to Die’








14). CoC – ‘IX’







13). Crowbar – ‘Symmetry in Black’







12). Floor ‘Oblation’







11). Hush – ‘Unexist’






10). Mastodon – ‘Once more ‘Round the Sun’








09). Conan – ‘Blood Eagle’






08). Bast – ‘Spectres’










07). AEges – ‘Above & Down Below’








06). Bongripper – ‘Miserable’









05). Slomatics – ‘Estron’








04). Catapult the Dead – ‘All is Sorrow’





03). Shellac – ‘Dude Incredible’







=1). Yob – ‘Clearing a Path to Ascend’- Horn of the Rhino – ‘Summoning Deliverance’

  







Honourable mentions:  Usnea – ‘Random Cosmic Violence’, Witchthroat Serpent – ‘Witchthroat Serpent’, Inter Arma – ‘The Cavern’, Canaya – ‘Sealed within Walls’, , Gurt – ‘Horrendosaurus’, Slomatics/Holly Hunter Split 7”, , Monolord – ‘Empress Rising’

Saturday, 10 January 2015

The Sludgelord Presents: Phil Weller's Top 25 Records of 2014



25) American Heritage – Prolapse


Their swansong and one hell of one at that. Only six original tracks here, with three covers concluding the record but nevertheless merciless.

24) Melvins - Hold It In


Melvins plus the Butthole Surfers: Cacophonic chaos

23) Yossi Sassi - Desert Butterflies




The ex-Orpaned Land guitarist has crafted a record as beautiful as it is diverse.


22) Serpent Venom - Of Things Seen and Unseen


 

Gritty doom metal. Staggering live.


21) With Our Arms To The Sun - A Far Away Wonder



Cinematic and captivating, this mostly instrumental record is full.of moving, experimental prog rock.





The Swedes have reached a new level of brilliance with a sound truly unique.


19) The Vintage Caravan - Voyage



Classic rock with subtle progressive twists and bursting with energy. A very young band too.


18) Marty Friedman - Inferno
 

Smattered with guests, these are some inspired collaborations from a fantastic guitarist.


17) Goya / Wounded Giant - Split EP (2015 Release)



One half is slow, evil doom, the other more succinct and punchy. A perfect split EP.




Crisply produced thrash / death metal, they continue to build on their self-titled record with palpable results.


15) Collibus - The False Awakening



Prog metal excellence. A cacophony of exceptional guitar work and incredible vocals.



14) Pineapple Thief – Magnolia

 

Simply gorgeous compositions. Perfect for mellow evenings.


13) Floor – Oblation



Sludge pop. Riffs dirtier than a pig in mud but more contagious than Ebola.

The Sludgelord review: http://thesludgelord.blogspot.com/2014/05/floor-oblation-album-review.html

12) Slash - World's on Fire



Slash and Myles deliver huge rock songs once more.


11) Killer Be Killed - Killer Be Killed



Four unique and supremely talented musicians combine and the results are just as we fanatically imagined.


10) Sky Valley Mistress - Rivals, Hounds & Rebel Sisters



Full of fuzz, attitude and swagger.



9) Æges - Above & Down Below

 

Nasty riffs juxtaposed with soaring, spine-chilling melodies. A fantastic band.

The Sludgelord review: http://thesludgelord.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/ges-above-down-below-album-review.html?m=1

8) Witchrider - Unmountable Stairs



A record that's just grabbed me. So groovy, so fun.


7) Corrosion of Conformity – IX



COC do what COC do best. Tarquinius Superbus is one of the songs of the year.


6) Paul Gilbert - Stone Pushing Uphill Man

 

Only one song has vocals, the guitar is the voice here and it sings like an angel. His tones cut right through me.



5) Machine Head - Bloodstone and Diamonds



Metal titans in every sense of the word. Now We Die is a perfectly crafted anthem.


4) Opeth - Pale Communion



Vastly diverse and original, amass with sublime musicianship, Opeth really are a stunning band.


3) Wild Throne - Blood Maker
 

If only this were a full length record. Absolutely sensational. Short but incredibly powerful.


2) Mastodon - Once More 'Round The Sun



More accessible and psychedelic as they ever have been, but just as alluring. Packed with riffs.


1) Destrage - Are You Kidding Me, No?



Forever astounding, this is pure insanity. Such an ambitious album. Still noticing nuances with every listen. The title track is just unstoppable.